William Heath – setting the Movember pace

November 19, 2014

00:00

Dylan Hartley is facing serious competition for the finest Movember moustache from an unlikely source as a 12-year-old Northampton Saints fan is disguising himself as a different mo-sporting celebrity every day to support the charity.

William Heath is raising money in memory of his grandfather Robin Wickham, who passed away in February from pancreatic cancer have previously fought both prostrate and testicular cancer and was inspired by the success of Hartley’s Front Mo Union.

The England hooker led his Saints squad to raise nearly £47,000 last year and now have an exceptional addition to the team with Will already gaining nearly £3,500 in donations – more than even Hartley himself.

The Earls Barton resident has already appeared as characters as diverse as Biggles, Magnum PI and Ali G and mum Clare says there is plenty more impressive costumes to come.

Will, who plays for Northampton Old Scouts Rugby Club, often used to attend Northampton games with his granddad and was given his first taste of Premiership rugby at a very early age.

And with Will receiving the support of both Movember and Northampton Saints as well as plenty of media attention, Clare admits that Will’s achievements have exceeded even their wildest expectations.

“We first heard about Movember through Dylan Hartley’s effort last year and watching all the Saints players sporting their moustaches,” she said.

“Then my father lost his battle with cancer and William wanted to do something and in terms of charities that deal with the diseases he faced this is the ideal one.

“Will wanted to get involved but he turned 12 on November 1 and obviously can’t grow a moustache himself so he decided to dress up as different characters and try to make it a bit of fun.

“He’s been going to see Northampton Saints since he was a baby – William went to his first away match when he was only three weeks old when Saints beat Leicester at Welford Road for the first time in ten years.

“He loves his rugby and has been a lifelong Saints so there was never any doubt he was joining Dylan’s team.

“We’re sure Dylan will surpass him in the fund-raising table soon but it’s amazing that he’s raised the most for the Front Mo Union so far and the support we have received is incredible.”

To come up with a different outfit for each day, Will became the local fancy dress store’s best customer and raided the wardrobes of older sisters Holly and Isobel and younger brother Toby.

Yet finding 30 characters was not smooth sailing, with Clare admitting that they had to abandon their most ambitious attempt – but that did not stop Will gaining some famous fans.

“There were a few he had no idea about but once I explained who Charlie Chaplin was and that Robert Downey Jr played him in a film he was on board,” she added.

“We did try one as Ned Flanders and painted him yellow and cut ping-pong balls for eyes but he just looked weird so we had to cancel that one.

“Ali G has been his favourite so far though and William has also dressed up as the Honey Badger (Nick Cummins) who tweeted us a message of support.

“We also got a donation from one ‘Richie McCaw’ and who is to say it’s not the great man himself?

“Will doesn’t even normally like dressing up so he’s doing something out of his comfort zone but is happy to do so for a really good cause and everyone is just blown away with his success.”

To donate to – or join – one of the 12 Premiership Rugby Mo Teamsclick here